A spokesperson for Arkansas Nuclear One (ANO) is confirming that photos appearing to depict security personnel asleep on the job were taken at the plant, of plant employees.

Donna Gregory, communications specialist for ANO, said Friday officials determined the photos, believed to be anywhere from several months to more than a year old, were taken in a "staging area" at the facility. Although the security officers in question - one of whom since resigned, while another was fired and two others are on administrative leave - were on duty in the staging area, they were not charged with sentry duties or responsible for "actively monitoring" the plant while in the area, Gregory said.

"You're basically required to be ready to respond in the case of an event, some kind of a security threat," she explained of officers in the staging area.

A Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) investigation into the matter is ongoing, Gregory said.

The spokesperson clarified ANO was taking action in the matter regardless, noting officers assigned to the staging area are required to be "attentive and alert" even if they are not charged with specific duties in monitoring the plant.

Moving forward

An action plan has been developed and is in place to address security at ANO, Gregory said, adding it involves increased managerial oversight of security and physical changes to the plant. Gregory said she could not be more specific since the plan involves security issues.

"If we determine additional changes need to be made, they'll be made," she said. "Whatever we need to do to make sure that we perform at our peak when we're ensuring the safety of our plant."

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission does not comment on security-related matters involving nuclear facilities, Lara Uselding, a public affairs officer based in Arlington, Texas, said Friday when asked for comment on the progress of the investigation. She confirmed ongoing "regulatory activities" at the site.

Gregory, however, confirmed last week a complaint that included the photos - obtained by The Courier from an anonymous tipster who would not reveal his or her identity -was sent to the NRC.

She previously said plant officials were actively working to investigate the matter, and were working to improve procedures as necessary.

"We're not taking it lightly," she said. "If you work at a nuclear power plant like we do, you understand our business is unique and special. We understand the responsibility we have to operate this plant safely. We all have a vested interest in doing that. Most people out here have families living in this area, so we all have a vested interest in making sure this plant is safe and secure. It's our primary responsibility. We're aware of it and we do not take it lightly."